Marble counter tops

[TB Roye]

There is a place not far from our house that is selling 24" x 96" marble counter slabs for under $200 Has anyone had experience installing marble counter tops?

Our Kitchen is pretty simpe and I could get by with 2 slabs. I could use one almost full length and if I cut the other one down I would have enough left over to use on either side of the stove. What kind of cutter is used to cut marble? probably some kind of diamond cutter. I would need to have the sink whole cut by them. How are the two pieces of marble joined to gether. We need new counter and if I could save some money doing it my self that would be great. Will go in line and do some reasearch also.

Tom

[cabinetman]

Tom

Marble is pretty easy to cut. You can use a regular masonry blade in a skill saw, or masonry disk on a grinder. I would suggest substrating the entire counter with 5/8" minimum, preferably 3/4" plywood and secure marble to the plywood with Polyseamseal, or GE Silicone II. You can glue marble to marble with epoxy. If you are attaching a buildup edge, or seaming, you might practice with coloring the epoxy close to the finished product for a good match. Check your existing countertop to see if it's 24" or 25" before jumping on this deal. BTW, you can block sand marble edges and bring them to a polished appearance with silicon carbide sandpaper (wet-or-dry) using it wet.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[TB Roye]

Cabinetman

Thanks for the information. I will go check this place tomorrow and see how much they would charge for cutting the hole for the sink and fixtures. Think I could do the rest and it is an "U" shaped counter with 2 seams. Thanks also for the information on strengthing the cabinets with the plywood.

Tom

[cabinetman]

Tom

The solid plywood tops are not just for dissipating the weight of the marble, but it's primary function is to support the marble. Marble has a tendency to crack if there is an allowance for movement. Thus, supporting it everywhere is recommended. I do this for granite also even though some installers don't do that for granite. Remember to measure your countertop to see if the 24" is deep enough. I cut sinkholes in marble tops by drawing out the cutout on the bottom, then easing the circular saw with masonry blade down on the line and cutting all four straight lines, being careful not to overcut the line into the corners. HD sells a diamond impregnated jigsaw blade that will cut out the corners. Get more than one blade.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[scorrpio]

I dunno about marble, would not use it for my countertop. Kitchen countertop is a pretty hazardous environment, and marble is not chemically resistant. A vinegar spill can mess it up. A read that a marble countertop needs resealing a couple times a year in order to stay good looking. I would pony up a bit extra cash and go granite.

[TB Roye]

Thanks for the reply. Did not know that about marble. I will check and see if this place sells granite. LOML has talked about concrete counters. That is a problem with her being retired, she watchs all these programs and changes her mind constantly. I try to do a project for her and get done as quick as possible before she changes her mind. I have looked into concret counters, don't even want to go there, to much work on my part. I would have help installing the counters because of the weight.

Tom

[sbs]

I think you need to spend some time in a kitchen forum learning about types of countertops before jumping in. IMO neither marble nor (natural) granite is a good choice if you actually use the kitchen.

[vaking]

I can support statements by Scorpio from experience. I have put a marble floor some time ago in a tiny guest powder-room. Big mistake. My wife once was washing the toilet bowl and toilet detergent got on the floor. It caused major damage. Detergent destroyed the finish on the marble and the floor needed to be polished and sealed after that. Lots of work. I would not go with marble countertop.
After the accident with marble I made a small counter (it was an add-on) in my kitchen out of 12'x12" granite tiles. That stuff works and wears well. And we actually use the kitchen - my wife loves to cook.